Need for Speed madness: Convoy of 100 cars busted

Mark Furler is APN Australian Regional Media’s group digital editor. He’s an award-winning journalist who has lived and worked on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for more than 25 years. He’s passionate about fighting for a better go for locals. His awards include APN Editor of the Year, and involvement in three PANPA Newspaper of the Year wins for the Sunshine Coast Daily.

POLICE say they have been left 'angered' after tracking 100 cars in convoy - some of whom were allegedly driving from 150km/h to 200 km/h.

Police allege one of the vehicles was speeding at more than 200km/h during the Need for Speed movie like madness.

The dangerous antics of the mostly P-plate drivers was detected by the Polair 1 helicopter as it was patrolling the M1 motorway on the Gold Coast about 10.25pm.

Police said the helicopter spotted about 100 cars travelling south in convoy.

"Many of these vehicles were flaunting road rules and most were speeding, with it quickly becoming apparent that they were participating in a speed trial,'' police said.

"Within the group Polair 1 identified up to 15 vehicle travelling at speeds ranging from 150 to 200km an hour, with one vehicle allegedly travelling in excess of 200km an hour.

"Police intercepted and seized that vehicle at Nerang, with the 18-year-old driver, a man from Bundall issued with a Notice to Appear for participating in a speed trial.

"He is due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court.

"It is believed that a large percentage of those travelling in the convoy were the holders of P-Plate driver's licenses with the vehicles quickly dispersing when they realised Polair 1 was tracking them.

Teen found sleeping in rear space of hatch

In a separate incident police found a teenager sleeping in the rear space of a hatch back sedan after officer's intercepted the vehicle on Lawson Street, Southport around 10.50pm.

All five seats of the vehicle were occupied by male teens with police surprised when they found a sixth, a 17-year-old man, sleeping in the rear.

The driver, a 19-year-old Surfers Paradise man and the holder of a P-Plate license, was issued with two traffic infringement notices (TIN) for overloading a vehicle.

The 17-year-old passenger was also issued with a TIN for failing to wear a seat belt.

Gold Coast District Duty Officer Senior Sergeant Craig McGrath said that the actions of the teenage P-Plate drivers he'd seen last night were more than just reckless and stupid, they were downright dangerous.

"High speed crashes have devastating effects and too often those involved are killed or seriously injured.

"To have a large number of cars speeding together on the motorway is extremely dangerous and could have so easily ended in tragedy.

"Roads are not racetracks.

"We could very easily have had carnage on the motorway last night, resulting in funerals of young people.

"Their actions were just crazy and we were fortunate no one was injured," Senior Sergeant McGrath said.

The public are encouraged to report incidents of dangerous or reckless driving to Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or Policelink on 131 444.